Upgrading Guitar - advice - yamaha?

phunkymonk

Hey,

Been playing now for the last 4 yrs or so and looking to get an upper end acoustic that will last for the long term...currently have a washburn 10dsc(or something) electro acoustic and gettin bored with it...i find the action too high but then again never tried to lower it,not a clue think i tried once and taught i was gonna break the thing!

anyway been looking at this guitar, i like the look of it and price is pretty decent....but how good is it?i wouldnt be able to play it before i buy so will be going on videos from the tube and reviews...

any advice would be great or any other suggestions on a guitar...also left handed so choice is limited a bit!



http://www.thomann.de/ie/yamaha_apx700iil_nt.htm

clonmahon

Looks OK, I'm a big yamaha fan, but I wouldn't buy a guitar mail order. No telling how it will sound or feel unless you play it. My advise go to some music shops and play lots of guitars, until you find some thing you like the sound and feel of. You may like the guitar that arrives by courier or you may not.

il gatto

I play a cheap Yamaha acoustic I bought in the late 90s. Cost £130 at the time is is still one of the nicest acoustics I've played (Takamine, Martin etc.). Underrated brand, maybe because they don't specilize in guitars. I think when you make drums, keyboards, pianos, brass etc., people think the guitars are an afterthought. It looks like a good deal. If you buy from Thomann and aren't happy with it, a setup wouldn't break the bank.

dfkorg

Yamaha APXs are ok, but are designed for stage play, with thin bodies that don't resonate fantastically for playing unplugged. If it's mainly a stage instrument it will be fine.

If you're looking for something to enjoy as a strummer at home too, you can pick up a Martin or Taylor dreadnought locally for that kind of money that will sound better unplugged, and I think the Martins have pickups fitted at that price

clonmahon

dfkorg wrote: »

Yamaha APXs are ok, but are designed for stage play, with thin bodies that don't resonate fantastically for playing unplugged. If it's mainly a stage instrument it will be fine.

If you're looking for something to enjoy as a strummer at home too, you can pick up a Martin or Taylor dreadnought locally for that kind of money that will sound better unplugged, and I think the Martins have pickups fitted at that price

Good point dkflorg, different guitars for different jobs, a sweet toned small bodied parlor guitar for a house party in a living room, a heavy bodied dreadnought for a pub session or busking, or a guitar with a good pick up that amplifies well. There might be a guitar that does all of these well, but be clear what situation you want to play in and look for a suitable machine for the job.

phunkymonk

Cheers for the replies guys, ya would only be looking for a home strummer type at the minute..im a bedroom performer,dont think i have what it takes for the big stage yet

I see your point re the yamaha,i had another look and this looks like a great sounding guitar..
http://www.thomann.de/ie/martin_guitars_000x1_ae_lh.htm

Again as im left handed its not easy to try a load of different guitars,i will try over next week or two to see some of these right handed to get an idea..if i was to get this guitar would i need to put much work at getting it perfect as in i prefer to have low action hands cant handle high action around 9th, 10th fret,what strings sound best?again just any ideas would be great trying to get an idea so i can get one for the xmas...

i seen this video and granted they are different models,high end ones...the martin sounds brilliant...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF2w0J6cpQc

clonmahon

phunkymonk wrote: »

Again as im left handed its not easy to try a load of different guitars,i will try over next week or two to see some of these right handed to get an idea.

You can restring a right handed guitar or like Libby Cotton learn to play it upside down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUK8emiWabU&feature=related
Jimi Hendrix also played it upside down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoAXW30mMAg

phunkymonk wrote: »

.if i was to get this guitar would i need to put much work at getting it perfect as in i prefer to have low action hands cant handle high action around 9th, 10th fret,what strings sound best?again just any ideas would be great trying to get an idea so i can get one for the xmas...

Not sure about this I've played guitars with high and low action. Mostly I think this is a matter of strength, the more you play the stronger your hands get and the more able you will be to handle high action. But if you feel competent get an allen key and adjust the truss rod. A few hours and a little patience and you should get it the way you like it.